Delegatio

n Basics
Delegation
Getting work
done through
others.

Directing the
performance of
one
or more people
to accomplish
organizational
goals.
Delegation
Provides learning or
‘stretching’ opportunities
for subordinates.
Increases power.
Cannot delegate total
responsibility.
Do not delegate
responsibility without
authority.
Delegate to the right
person, at the right time,
and for the right reason.
Say no when you must.
Sometimes
managers
must
delegate
routine tasks
so they are
free to
handle
problems
that are
Managers
may
delegate
work if
someone
else is better
prepared or
has greater
expertise or
knowledge
For
nurses,
delegati
on is not
an
option,
but a
necessit
Delegation is a
managerial tool
for subordinate
accomplishment
and enrichment.
Causes of
Underdelegating
Fear that delegation
may be interpreted
as a lack of ability to
do the job
completely or
correctly.
A desire to complete
the whole job himself
or herself.
Fear that
subordinates will
resent delegated
work.
Causes of
Underdelegating
Mistakes in
delegation can be
costly.
Fear of criticism.
Fear of losing control
of the staff.
Failure to delegate
wisely increases
management cost
and contributes to
personnel
dissatisfaction.
Fear on the part of
 Causes of
Overdelegating

Poor
managers of
time who
spend too
much time
trying to get
organized.

Insecurity in
Causes of Improperly
Delegating
Wrong time, to
the wrong
person, or for
the wrong
reason.
Beyond the
capability of
the person or
something the
manager should
do.
Clear Communication +
Delegation

Define the task

clearly.
Delineate end
results, time
frame,
standards.
Delegate the
 If the delegator requires a higher
quality than “satisficing,” this must
be made clear at the time of the
delegation. Not everything that is
delegated needs to be handled in a
maximizing mode.
Managers should
ask the individuals
to whom they are
delegating if they
are capable of
completing the
delegated task, but
should also
validate this
perception by
direct observation.
Monitoring
delegated
tasks keeps
the delegated
task before the
subordinate
and the
manager, so
that both
share
“Never tell people how to
do things. Tell them what
you want to achieve, and
they will surprise you with
their ingenuity.”

George
Patton, 1944
Delegation as Function of
Professional Nursing
RNs at all
levels are
increasingly
expected to
make
assignments
and supervise
the work of
different levels
of employees.
Resistance
is a
common
response
by
subordinat
es to
Considerations When
Delegating to a Culturally
Diverse Time
Communication
Space
Social organization
Time
Environmental control
Biological variations.

(Poole et al., 1995)

 What Cannot be
Delegated:
The overall ARA
Final evaluation of the
staff performance and
for correcting and
disciplining staff
Such activities which
the nurse to whom the
task is delegated does
not know how or does
not want to do because
it is unpleasant.
Delegating to Unlicensed
Assistive Personnel (UAP)
POTENTIAL
COSTS
Liable for
negligence
Issues for task
delegation
Job
description
Knowledge
base
Demonstrate
REMEMBER THIS:

Delegated
tasks must
be based
on
policies,
job
descriptio
n and